Cybersecurity Risk Hinders Growth for One Third of Industrial Firms

More than a third of industrial organisations identify cybersecurity risk as a major external obstacle to business growth, according to a new industry report.

The research, titled Operational Resilience in the Age of Connectivity, was released by Rockwell Automation following a study of 1,500 manufacturing and industrial decision-makers across 17 countries.

The IT/OT Convergence Gap

The findings highlight a growing tension as companies accelerate digital transformation. The integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems, alongside the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and the use of operational data, is creating new dependencies that increase exposure to cyber-related risks.

A notable disconnect was identified regarding how organisations perceive their security posture. Although 46% of industrial organisations reported experiencing a cyber incident within the past year, 90% expressed confidence in their ability to prevent, contain, or recover from such events.

The study specifically identified IT/OT integration points as the second-most vulnerable areas for cyber incidents. Despite these risks, 37% of respondents believe that successfully securing IT/OT architecture will drive positive business outcomes over the next five years.

AI and the Future of Industrial Defence

Cybersecurity is increasingly viewed as a high-value investment for industrial firms. Approximately 62% of organisations have already invested in cybersecurity platforms, with the technology ranking as the second-highest return on investment (ROI) generating technology reported by respondents.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in future defences. Around 45% of industrial organisations intend to apply AI and machine learning to their cybersecurity initiatives over the next 12 months to improve detection, monitoring, and risk management capabilities.

Rick Kaun, global director of cybersecurity services at Rockwell Automation, noted that technology investments alone do not guarantee operational resilience. He stated that true resilience is achieved when cybersecurity is integrated into the broader business strategy, allowing organisations to proactively manage risk and protect production continuity.